Not Finished Yet

Loving a Cheater

READ: HOSEA 1:1-11; 3:1-4; EPHESIANS 5:25-27 [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=HOSEA%201%3A1-11%3B%203%3A1-4%3B%20EPHESIANS%205%3A25-27&version=NLT] How much does God love you? The answer is: a lot! But sometimes “a lot” can be hard to picture. To show us how faithful His love is, God gave us an analogy in the Old Testament: the story of Hosea and Gomer. Hosea was a prophet, and God told him to marry a woman named Gomer. But Gomer was unfaithful and left him, causing Hosea deep hurt. When Gomer cheated on Hosea, God explained that the hurt she caused was similar to the hurt God feels when we sin. Both the Israelite people and we as humans today have cheated on God with idols—things, ideas, and even people we worship instead of our good Creator. Throughout the book of Hosea, God spelled out His anger and hurt toward His cheating people. But then the book takes a surprising turn. God told Hosea to take back his cheating wife and love her like God loves the Israelites. Gomer had become enslaved to her lovers, so Hosea had to buy back his own wife and bring her home again. This parallels the story of Christ, who bought us at the much higher cost of His own blood on the cross. Jesus loved us so much that He took on one of the most painful deaths the Roman Empire could offer. Not only did He die to pay the price for our sin, but He also overcame death through His resurrection—He made the way to free us from our slavery to sin and ensure that we could be with Him forever. Even though we have all cheated on God with our sin—and we continue to sin every day—He still loves us. More than a husband could ever love his wife. • Naomi Zylstra • God loved us while we were enamored with the sin that enslaved us. As Christians, why is it important to remember that God continues to love us even when we are still enamored with sin? (If you want to dig deeper, read Romans 5:8; 8:38-39; 1 John 4:10, 19; Ephesians 2:1-10) • If you want to know more about what it means to be rescued and forgiven by Jesus, see our "Know Jesus [https://unlocked.org/knowjesus/]" page. • As Christians, we know that our sin is just as bad as anyone else’s. How should God’s love for us motivate us to treat others? (1 John 4:11) Remember, if someone has hurt you deeply, loving and forgiving them doesn’t necessarily mean trusting them again—it might look like setting up healthy boundaries. Who are trusted Christian adults in your life you could talk to about this? The LORD says, “Then I will heal you of your faithlessness; my love will know no bounds, for my anger will be gone forever.” Hosea 14:4 (NLT)

Not Finished Yet

READ: ROMANS 7:15–8:6; GALATIANS 5:13-25 [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=ROMANS%207%3A15%E2%80%938%3A6%3B%20GALATIANS%205%3A13-25&version=NIV] Lying on my dorm room floor, I wiped tears from my eyes. Why did I keep doing things I knew grieved the heart of God? Perhaps it was growing up in a strict home? The countless rules just fueled my desire to live a little outside the lines. For me, that looked like a struggle to honor God in my romantic relationships. While I didn’t go “all the way” with guys, stepping over the line with them offered the thrill I craved. Afterward though, I felt worse. The Holy Spirit was gently prompting me to flee sin and run into the arms of Jesus instead. Time after time this happened, and I wrestled and prayed. I felt like I was finally grasping what Paul said in Romans 7:15-24. I was doing what I didn’t want to do, and I kept on doing it. I really felt like I was a prisoner to these desires—they were battling within me against the Holy Spirit’s leading. God, I prayed, just let me get caught or in trouble or something! I want this to stop, but I feel so powerless! Turns out, I didn’t get caught or in trouble. Instead, it was the love, grace, and forgiveness of Jesus Christ that eventually drew me back. I was attempting to fill my cravings for ultimate meaning with something other than Him… and that never satisfies. The truth is, when I trusted Jesus as my Lord and Savior, He gave me freedom from sin’s power. Even though I will wrestle with my old sinful nature until I see Jesus face to face, I have His power living inside me. And by His power, I can reject sin—knowing that, in Christ, I am dead to sin. I can be led by the Spirit as I rest in Jesus’s love and set my mind on His good desires for me (Romans 8:5; Galatians 5:16-18). Now, when Satan throws my failures back in my face, I know I can block his attacks with the truth of God’s Word. When Satan whispers, “What kind of a follower of God are you? How can you expect to reach others with God’s love when you’re trapped in your own sin?” I can shout back: “God has forgiven me—and He’s not finished with me yet! He began a good work in me, and He will continue it until the day Jesus comes again!” (Philippians 1:6). • Savannah Coleman • Can you think of a time you felt like today’s author, or like Paul in Romans 7? What sin struggles do you feel powerless over? (Remember, Romans 7 applies to all sorts of sins—and we all struggle with sin every single day.) • You are not alone in this battle! If you know Jesus, you are a child of God, and you are empowered by the Holy Spirit to reject sin (1 Corinthians 10:13). Our sins and struggles may be great, but God is greater—and He gives us the deliverance we need through Jesus Christ (Romans 7:25). Can you think of a time you resisted temptation and did not sin? What was that like? • God loves us so much that Jesus died and rose again to free us from sin and death. As we rely on Him, we can resist temptation. And whenever we fail, Jesus always wants us to run to Him—to receive His inexhaustible forgiveness and unending love (Luke 15:11-32; 1 John 1:9–2:1). Consider taking some time to talk to Jesus about whatever you’ve been struggling with. • God created romantic love and sex as good gifts to be shared and enjoyed by a husband and wife within marriage. What questions do you have about marriage, sexuality, sin, repentance, etc.? Who are trusted Christian adults in your life you feel comfortable talking to about this? (If no one comes to mind, you can ask God to help you identify someone in the future.) Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:6 (NIV)

Confession

READ: EZEKIEL 36:26; JOHN 6:60-69; 1 CORINTHIANS 15:1-11 [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=EZEKIEL%2036%3A26%3B%20JOHN%206%3A60-69%3B%201%20CORINTHIANS%2015%3A1-11&version=CSB] The question is asked, “What do you believe?” I open my mouth to recite the familiar words: “I believe in God, the Father almighty.” But do I believe? Can I claim this testimony? I close my mouth and wonder, Can I honestly profess these ancient words? Then I remember The peace during the storms, The answers to big and seemingly small prayers— My stubborn stone heart becomes humble flesh. And I do believe. Even though it’s not clear and easy, I join my voice with the chorus of the redeemed. Affirming with feeble but fresh faith the words of my confession. • Mary Rozendal • Have you had times when you wondered whether or not you really believe what you say you believe? What or who has helped you sort out your questions? What questions do you still have? • What are some of the central truths of our faith in the gospel—or good news—of Jesus Christ? (For more about this good news, see our "Know Jesus [https://unlocked.org/knowjesus/]" page.) • The speaker in today’s poem is reciting the Apostles’ Creed. To learn more about this creed, keep reading! Let us hold on to the confession of our hope without wavering, since he who promised is faithful. Hebrews 10:23 (CSB) WHAT IS THE APOSTLES' CREED? People have always had questions about what it means to be a Christian. Historically, one way the church has sought to navigate questions like this is by gathering together—through prayer, discussion, and study of Scripture—to create official positions on difficult but important questions. One of the earliest examles of this was the Apostles' Creed, which is printed below. Over the centuries, through study of Scripture and prayer, Christians have agreed with the basic content of this historical creed, and it is still recited regularly in many Christian churches today. It is recited to connect Christians—around the world and throughout history—to the gospel that unites them. While this creed is not Scripture, it is a helpful summary of the basic truths of the Bible, vetted by people through the ages who loved Jesus and His Word. I believe in God the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, God's only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was cricified, died, and was buried; he descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven, he is seated at the right hand of the Father, and he will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church*, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen. *Historically, the term “catholic” means “universal.” This line basically means “the whole church around the world and throughout history.” A NOTE: Since the creed was written in Latin, the above text is a translation, produced by the English Language Liturgical Consultation (ELLC) in 1998.

Not Seeing but Still Believing

READ: DEUTERONOMY 31:6-8; LUKE 15:1-7; 19:10; 1 PETER 1:3-9 [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=DEUTERONOMY%2031%3A6-8%3B%20LUKE%2015%3A1-7%3B%2019%3A10%3B%201%20PETER%201%3A3-9&version=NIV] When I was eleven, I marched with a school group in our town’s Christmas parade. We started near the football stadium and then marched through town. After two miles or so, we finished at the end of Main Street. As my friend Meredith watched the thinning crowd, her face drooped as much as her pom poms, and she began to cry. Feeling alone and scared, she wondered, Where’s my mom? How can she find me? What if I can’t find her? As Meredith’s friends, we tried to reassure her. We told her that her mom knew where the parade ended and would come for her. We reminded her that her mom would look for her until she found her. We assured her that her mom would never, ever leave without her. And we were right. Meredith couldn’t see her mom when she needed comfort most, but her mother searched for her until she was reunited with her daughter. Then they went home together. Meredith’s anxiety arose from not being able to see her mother. She didn’t stop believing her mom cared for her. But not being able to lay eyes upon her mother left Meredith feeling abandoned. Each of us can experience that same fear in our relationship with Jesus. When we put our trust in Him, believing in His death and resurrection, we are united with God. He becomes our Father, and we gain a new identity as His children. God loves us, and as a good Father, He promises never to leave us (John 10:28-29; Hebrews 13:5; 1 John 3:1). Sometimes it seems like our worries would calm down if we could just see God, right? Though we can’t see Him with physical eyes, we can trust what the Bible teaches about Him: that He is with us. He loves us, He pursues us, and He will never let us go. • Allison Wilson Lee • Can you think of a time you felt like God was far away? We all go through times like these, but God is eager to remind us of His love and nearness. Consider taking a moment to talk to Him about how He has seemed distant and how that’s made you feel. In addition to talking to God, who are trusted Christians in your life you can talk to—people who can remind you of His presence with you? Are there any Bible verses that help you feel closer to God? • After Jesus rose from the dead, He promised to be with us always (Matthew 28:20). He ascended into heaven and sent His Spirit to live in all believers (John 14:15-18, 26-27). How could it be encouraging to remember Jesus is always with us through His Holy Spirit dwelling in us? Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy. 1 Peter 1:8 (NIV)

The Enemy's Deceit

READ: PSALM 119:105; ROMANS 8:33-39; 2 CORINTHIANS 5:17; 1 PETER 5:8-9 [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=PSALM%20119%3A105%3B%20ROMANS%208%3A33-39%3B%202%20CORINTHIANS%205%3A17%3B%201%20PETER%205%3A8-9&version=NIV] As an old story goes, in the Old West, thieves trying to escape law enforcement would sometimes turn their horses’ shoes backwards. These “bank robber horseshoes” supposedly tricked investigators into assuming the criminals traveled on horseback in the opposite direction. With tracks from the horseshoes pointing one way—but the thieves traveling in the other—they hoped to evade capture. This deception allegedly sent officers of the law away from the robbers they tracked. In my relationship with God, I notice Satan practices a similar kind of deceit. With his lies about who we are and who God is, Satan disguises untruth as truth and points us away from God. When we trust in Christ, believing His death and resurrection provide forgiveness and eternal life, we become new creations. Our enemy, the devil, will remind us of past sins, accusing us and saying we’re not blameless in God’s sight. But in His Word, God says, “Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more.” (Hebrews 10:17). In Jesus, we don’t carry the burden of guilt any longer. The Bible assures us nothing can separate us from God’s love once we are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:38-39). Yet our enemy wants to convince us that our mistakes and sins will leave God shaking His head at us in disgust. The enemy may highlight rejection we’ve experienced and nudge us to ask, “Who could ever love me?” Yet God’s Word reminds us we are His much-loved children (1 John 3:1). And Jesus always comes to seek and save us when we’re lost (Luke 19:10). Scripture labels Satan as the “father of lies,” but Jesus is the Truth (John 8:44; 14:6). How will we know when our beliefs have followed the enemy’s deception down the wrong path? When our thinking doesn’t match up with what Scripture teaches about the character of God and about who we are in Christ. God’s Word directs us on the right path to keep us walking in truth, and the Holy Spirit lovingly guides us back to this truth again and again. • Allison Wilson Lee • When have you been tempted to believe Satan’s lies about who you are or who God is? What past hurts or sin does the enemy remind you of as he attempts to derail you from the truth? • Which Bible verses or passages can help you remember the truth? Who is a trusted Christian in your life who could help you find Scriptures like these? Remember, God has designed us to fight Satan’s lies in community, so we can always remind each other of what’s really true. [Jesus said,] “Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:32 (NIV)